Haiti Info
Joined: 16 Nov 2006
Posts: 14
Home Country: haiti
|
 Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:06 am Post subject: SHOPPING IN HAITI / HAITI SHOPPING GUIDE |
 |
|
SHOPPING IN HAITI
Bargaining is recommended at the Iron Market, where both good- and bad-quality local items can be bought, including carvings, printed fabrics, leatherwork, paintings (particularly in the naïf style, for which Haiti is famous), straw hats, seed necklaces and jewellery, cigars and foodstuffs. Port-au-Prince has a good selection of shops and boutiques selling a wide range of local and imported items. Bargaining is an accepted practice.
Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1600, Sat 0800-1200.
Currency
Gourde = 100 centimes.
Notes are in denominations of Gourde500, 250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of Gourde5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centimes. Visitors will also notice that most establishments price items in the unofficial currency the Haitian Dollar (one Haitian Dollar is equivalent to five Goudes). US currency also circulates.
Currency exchange
US Dollars are accepted and exchanged everywhere. Other foreign currencies are accepted for exchange only by some banks. At least one local bank chain has ATMs in Port au Prince, but they are frequently out of order and there have been reports of over charging accounts.
Credit & debit cards
Credit cards are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Traveller's cheques
Apart from at banks, these are often difficult to exchange. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.
Currency restrictions
There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign or local currency. However, amounts in excess of Gourde 200,000 or equivalent must be declared.
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and 1500-1700. Some banks open Sat 0900-1300. |
|
Register
Log in
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
